Trump Administration Is Considering the Nationalization of 5G Networks to Protect Itself Against Foreign Threats

With smartphones being a large portion of consumer electronics that will eventually feature 5G modems, other applications like self-driving vehicles and IoT products are also expected to take advantage of this breakthrough. The only trouble that the U.S. government currently foresees is that if the 5G networks are not nationalized, it could open up multiple doors to foreign bodies like China to compromise the multitude of products that will eventually be taking advantage of 5G networks.

Documents State the U.S. Needs a Centralized 5G Network Within Three Years – Outcry From the Industry and Upcoming Debates Will Be Expected Thanks to This Proposition

Axios got its hands on the documents and the memo which highlights two key points:

The U.S. government will be in charge of paying and building the single 5G network

If the above plan does not go to fruition, there is an alternate. 5G service providers could build their networks that will obviously be competing with one another. Unfortunately, the document says that this approach could take longer than three years and cost more in the end. The advantage is that the government will not be subjected to an outcry by the industry.

While a secondary plan is available, a source that is familiar with the matter states that there is a huge possibility that the second option is removed from the table altogether. The reason for this is quite simple; the U.S. government does not want foreign countries to compromise the security of these networks, which at this point is China.

A decision is yet to be made and we are certain that there is going to be a heated discussion in the White House. According to the document, it will be decided if the government is going to be owning and building the network or if the service providers can come forth to build the network on their own. Unfortunately, this will mean that these companies will have to set aside their monetary interests and act in the best interest and security of the nation.

A strong 5G network is necessary for a secure pathway for things like VR and self-driving vehicles. Since it has already been demonstrated on numerous occasions that self-driving vehicles and IoT as a whole is vulnerable to a series of cyber attacks, the U.S. will be attempting to keep China and other countries at bay.

Major U.S. wireless carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile have yet to comment on the latest documents but we are certain that the executives from the aforementioned companies will be providing their thoughts real soon.

If you want to check out additional documents, click on the source link below.